Date 26 Nov 2025
Over the last decade, India has emerged as a major global destination for surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments. In 2023 alone, Indian plastic surgeons performed more than one million aesthetic procedures. It positioned the country among the world’s top three markets for rhinoplasty and liposuction. India now accounts for 7.4% of the global aesthetic surgery procedure share, generating approximately USD 4.2 billion in revenue. Projections indicate this figure could rise to USD 11.5 billion by 2030, driven by annual market growth rates of 10–12%.
This growth represents an ecosystem shaped by increasing disposable incomes, wider acceptance of aesthetic enhancement, medical tourism, and the ease with which patients can access information online. More than 2,000 trained plastic surgeons operate in India’s major cities, with Hyderabad hosting several high-volume aesthetic centres known for rhinoplasty, gynecomastia correction, liposuction, eyelid surgery, breast procedures, and hair restoration.
But growth also brings challenges. For every highly trained, board-certified surgeon, there are others with limited or inadequate qualifications. Clinic standards vary widely, as do surgical techniques, safety protocols, and post-operative care. This makes the selection process more complicated than simply choosing a clinic with good reviews or appealing marketing.
In this blog, we’ve outlined ten critical questions that patients must ask when choosing the best cosmetic surgeon in India. These questions help you understand a surgeon’s training, experience, ethics, and ability to deliver safe, predictable results.
Below are 10 important questions anchored in the practical realities of India’s regulatory environment, clinical frameworks, and typical risks associated with high-demand procedures.
Before discussing procedures or techniques, the first step is confirming that the surgeon has formal, accredited training. In India, credible cosmetic surgeons hold board certification from bodies such as:
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI)
Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (IAAPS)
State Medical Councils (e.g., Telangana Medical Council)
Board certification shows the surgeon has completed structured training, follows ethical guidelines, and stays updated with modern techniques. Given Hyderabad’s competitive market, this verification protects you from relying solely on advertising or social media presence.
Experience in one procedure doesn’t guarantee expertise in another. A surgeon good at gynecomastia surgery may not necessarily excel in rhinoplasty, and vice versa.
Instead of asking “How many years have you been practicing?”, focus on:
How many rhinoplasties, lipsuctions, or hair transplants they perform each year
Whether they can show before-and-after photos of similar cases
Their recent success rates
Whether they’ve handled cases that look similar to yours
Hyderabad sees high patient volumes, so experienced surgeons often have extensive case portfolios. Reviewing their work helps you understand their aesthetic skills and whether their results match your expectations.
All aesthetic surgeries carry measurable risks. These may include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, scarring, anesthesia reactions, or specific complications unique to certain procedures (e.g., breathing issues after rhinoplasty, contour irregularities after liposuction).
A credible surgeon will:
Explain common and rare complications
Discuss risk factors tied to your medical profile
Outline preventive measures
Share protocols for managing complications if they occur
If a surgeon brushes off risks or gives vague answers, that’s a red flag. Transparency is non-negotiable.
Recovery is where results take shape, so you need to know exactly what to expect. A responsible surgeon will guide you through:
How long you’ll need to rest
Expected discomfort and how it will be managed
Medications you’ll need
When you can return to work or exercise
How many follow-ups are required
For patients traveling to Hyderabad, recovery support becomes even more important, so clarify accessibility, emergency contact, and aftercare availability in advance.
When choosing the best cosmetic surgeon in India, real evidence matters more than marketing claims. Before-and-after photos are the most objective way to evaluate a surgeon’s capabilities.
These photos help you see:
Their aesthetic approach
How consistently they deliver results
Whether they have experience with your body type or facial structure
Reputable clinics maintain standardized, unedited images and may connect you with former patients who are open to sharing their experiences. This step gives you a realistic idea of what your outcome might look like.
Cost transparency is an essential measure of a clinic’s professionalism, and understanding the complete financial structure helps you avoid unexpected expenses later.
A reputable surgeon will provide a full breakdown of charges, including the surgeon’s fees, operating theatre and hospital costs, anesthesia charges, pre-operative tests, postoperative medications and dressings, and all follow-up consultations. They should also disclose their revision surgery policies and provide GST-inclusive billing, which is a legal requirement in India.
For some patients, minimally invasive treatments offer a safer, lower-downtime alternative. Your surgeon should objectively explain whether nonsurgical options, like fillers, threads, laser treatments, or energy-based devices, could address your concerns either temporarily or permanently.
This question helps determine whether the surgeon is procedure-focused or patient-focused. A patient-focused surgeon will guide you honestly, even if it means recommending a non-surgical option.
Complication management is where a surgeon’s true capability becomes obvious. You need clarity on how the clinic responds if something doesn’t go as planned.
Important points to ask about include:
Whether 24/7 emergency care is available
Access to hospital-level facilities
Cost and terms of revision procedures
Experience handling complex revisions
A well-organized clinic will have clear guidelines, proper documentation, and a defined escalation process.
Good preparation reduces complications and improves outcomes. Surgeons usually recommend avoiding certain medications, stopping smoking, adjusting diet, or completing specific diagnostic tests.
A clinic that provides detailed, written instructions shows they follow structured, evidence-based processes. Vague or inconsistent guidance is typically a sign of poor post-op systems.
Cosmetic surgery results are long-lasting but not permanent. Genetics, lifestyle, aging, and weight changes all influence how results evolve.
Your surgeon should explain:
The realistic lifespan of your results
Maintenance routines
Whether future procedures might be needed
Factors that could shorten or extend longevity
Understanding long-term expectations prevents dissatisfaction and supports informed consent.
Choosing a cosmetic surgeon in Hyderabad requires structured evaluation rather than instinct. India’s aesthetic industry is growing rapidly, offering access to highly skilled specialists, advanced technology, and modern surgical standards. But the quality of care can vary significantly across clinics, which makes due diligence essential.
By asking the right questions, patients can better understand a surgeon’s training, ethics, and approach to safety, ensuring they find the best cosmetic surgeon in India and their aesthetic journey is both informed and well-supported.
At Eternelle Aesthetics, we emphasize transparency, evidence-based practice, and patient education. We offer thoughtful guidance and can empower individuals to make confident decisions because we believe ultimately, informed choices lead to safer outcomes and a more positive transformation experience. Want to know more about us? Contact us.
Check the APSI or IAAPS member directories and verify registration through the National Medical Commission or your state medical council (e.g., Telangana Medical Council).
Not always. Cost reflects surgeon reputation, facility quality, technology used, and post-op care standards. Evaluation should be based on credentials and results, not pricing alone.
Most revisions are assessed after 6–12 months, depending on the procedure. Rhinoplasty may require longer before full tissue stabilization.
Yes, when performed by trained surgeons under controlled settings. Safety depends on procedure duration, patient health, and facility capabilities.
Yes, provided the clinic offers structured pre-op virtual consultations, postoperative monitoring, and recovery support tailored for outstation patients.
